‘The area of highest probability as to where the aircraft might have entered the water is the area where the underwater search will commence,’ explained Angus Houston, head of the joint operation.

‘It’s on the basis of data that only arrived very recently and it’s the best data that is available.’

Recently recovered satellite recordings showing hourly pings from the aircraft before it disappeared on March 8 has calculated the area the ships are searching.

Search crews will also continue to hunt for floating debris on the ocean surface (Picture: Australian Defence Force/Reuters)

HMAS Ocean Shield has a US Navy pinger locator on board which can pick up signals from a depth of 6,100m (20,000ft) – meaning even if the black box is in the deepest part of the ocean it should be picked up.

If found, that device will provide crucial information about what condition the plane was flying under and any communications or sounds from the cockpit.